Using data to develop a business plan

Purpose:
Based on NDNQI PU data the CNO identified a need to invest in a bed replacement program with the goal of reducing PU for our patients. To augment the bed replacement program the CNO identified the need to develop the role of a WOC to educate the staff on wound care treatment with the use of new beds

Significance:
A bed replacement program for a 651 bed hospital was a multi- million dollar project that required a business plan during a period of recovery from a financial project. The CNO needed to establish trust & credibility with a new CEO and CFO to secure the monies and resources needed for the project.

Strategy and Implementation:
In development of a business plan to justify a 5 million dollar bed replacement program and securing the position of the WOC specialist a project team consisted of the CNO, vendor, and the hospital planner (reports to the CFO) to collaborate in the development of a business plan to justify the bed purchase. After analyzing the PU data our commitment was to reduce PU's by 50% after the purchase of the beds and implementation of the WOC specialist. We assigned a dollar value to each patient with a PU depending on the stage and committed to a one day length of stay reduction on patients with community acquired and nosocomial pressure ulcers. Once the business plan was developed the CNO presented it to the Executive team for approval. A joint presentation was made by the CEO and CNO to Finance and Board of Trustees for final approval.

Evaluation:
We analyzed the NDNQI data with the business planning process with subsequent quarterly analysis to measure success. The ultimate outcome was that we exceeded a 75% reduction in nosocomial PU and a one day reduction in community acquired PU.

Implications for Practice:
This is an example of transformational leadership for the staff nurse to have the resources to deliver the highest quality of patient care.